Helen Gardiner, owner of Gardiner Farms near Caledon, Ontario, died July 22 of pancreatic cancer. She was 70.
Gardiner took over the farm following the death of her husband, George Gardiner, in 1997. As breeder, the farm has been represented this decade by such stakes winners as Are You Serious, Bullish Executive, Its Launch Move, Legal Move, London Snow, Midnight Shadow, Original Copy, Rare Friends, and Top Ten List. As recently as 2006, Gardiner Farms was a finalist for a Sovereign Award.
Under the command of George Gardiner, Gardiner Farms was a leading Canadian breeder and owner in the 1960s and ’70s and one of the original syndicate owners in Northern Dancer. In 1955, Gardiner raced in partnership St. Vincent, who was chosen North America’s top grass runner.
Helen Gardiner’s survivors include a daughter, Lindy, and her mother, Helen McMinn.